Government delays mandatory aggregation system for drinks after industry pushback

The decision was explicitly made to allow manufacturers to fully build out the technical capabilities required to phase in the mandatory digital tracking mechanisms for both carbonated and non-carbonated drinks.

The government instructed the Tax Committee, working alongside CRPT Turon – the operator of the Asl Belgisi national digital marking and tracking information system – to launch a comprehensive outreach campaign. This initiative aims to educate water and soft drink manufacturers, as well as wholesale and retail businesses, on the practical applications of digital marking through various media channels. Over the next two months, the Tax Committee and relevant ministries must align their regulatory frameworks with the newly issued decree. Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Economy and Finance Jamshid Kuchkarov has been designated to oversee the implementation of the resolution.

President Shavkat Mirziyoyev initially ordered the postponement and directed a reduction in penalties under the strict Article 227–1 of the Tax Code earlier this month. The government stepped in following formal appeals from the private sector. Market analysis revealed that half of the ten major bottled water producers, who together control 90% of the domestic market, were completely unequipped to handle the complex aggregation process.

Alfiya Musina, Executive Director of the Association of Non-Alcoholic Beverage and Juice Producers (UzBev), confirmed that the association had petitioned the president and the business ombudsman in January due to mounting operational bottlenecks.

Musina noted that the implementation of digital marking had caused considerable financial damage to local businesses, leading to a steep decline in overall production volumes, which heavily strained company revenues and industry morale. She added that the new presidential directive brought much-needed relief to the entire sector.